Intelligent Energy Europe

Intelligent Energy Europe

Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) is now closed, although a number of projects funded under the programme are continuing. The EU's Horizon 2020 programme now supports the research, demonstration and market up-take of energy-efficient technologies. Funds are available to support energy-efficient buildings, industry, heating and cooling, SMEs and energy-related products and services, as well as for improving the attractiveness of energy-efficiency investments.

Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) offered a helping hand to organisations willing to improve energy sustainability. Launched in 2003 by the European Commission, the programme was part of a broad push to create an energy-intelligent future for us all. It supported EU energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, with a view to reaching the EU 2020 targets (20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, 20% improvement in energy efficiency and 20% of renewables in EU energy consumption).

IEE created better conditions for a more sustainable energy future in areas as varied as renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, industry, consumer products and transport.

The expectation was that by doing this, Europe would also boost its competitiveness, security of energy supply, and innovation standing for the years to come.

Running until 2013, the programme was open to all EU Member States, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. A budget of € 730 million was available to fund projects and put into place a range of European portals, facilities and initiatives.

IEE project funding

A large part of the programme budget was made available through annual calls for proposals to support projects putting the concept of 'intelligent energy' in practice. Carried out by public, private or non-governmental European organisations, they supported three main objectives - more energy efficiency, more renewables, and better transport and mobility. This covered, for instance, new training schemes, promotion campaigns, and the transfer of good practices between EU countries.

Type of funding

The majority of the programme's budget went to funding projects across the EU that support and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy

Project development assistance (PDA) facilities for public authorities, public bodies and financial institutions: MLEI-PDA, EIB-ELENA, KfW-ELENA, CEB-ELENA, EBRD-ELENA supported the preparation of and mobilisation of financing for bankable sustainable energy projects.

Procurement of products and services: used to obtain studies and services the European Commission or the EASME need to achieve the objectives underlying the IEE Programme.

Funding areas

Energy efficiency and the rational use of energy (SAVE): Funding in this area mainly targets the improvement of energy efficiency and the rational use of resources in the industry, products and building sectors.

New and renewable resources (ALTENER): In this area, funding is provided to increase the share of renewables in the production of electricity, heat and cooling, and to integrate them in the local energy systems.

Energy in transport (STEER): This strand covers initiatives targeting energy savings and energy efficiency in the transport sector, including stimulation of demand for alternative fuels and clean and energy-efficient vehicles.

Integrated initiatives: These initiatives cover several economic sectors or several of the main areas of energy efficiency, new and renewable resources and energy in transport at the same time. Projects educating children, tomorrow's energy savers and consumers, are covered by this part of the programme.

Find out more about projects that have been co-financed by IEE in the Projects section.

IEE services

A number of online portals were created with the help of the Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) programme to provide valuable information to all those working on energy efficiency and renewable energy at the local and regional level, and in relation to buildings and mobility. Those include: BUILD UP, Clean Vehicle Europe, Eltis, ManagEnergy, BUILD UP Skills, Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, U4Energy. A number of them continue to be active:

Concerted Actions

IEE Concerted Actions assist Member States to implement EU legislation cost-effectively. They help implementing bodies in each country to share experiences with the EU Directives on Energy Performance of Buildings, Energy Efficiency (formerly Energy Services) and Renewable Energy. Read more about the IEE Concerted Actions.